30+1

Crazy to think that is has been 10 years since I turned 21.  I celebrated my 21st birthday my first summer lifeguarding at the beach, the same summer I met Brian.  I was a wild child, a free bird. A Kentucky girl with unbridled spirit and if I squint really hard in the mirror, sometimes I can still see traces of that girl. A lot has happened since then, I wish I had recorded it, maybe then I could refect back and find that moment when I grew up. 

I had a wonderful birthday.  My co-workers (I hate calling them that, they really are much more than just other workers that (co)exist in the office with me, they are my friends.) Anyways my co-friends, (that's better) went all out and decorated my desk, hawaiian style, and made me a delicious pineapple upside down cake, then I was seranaded with the a wonderful version of the  happy birthday song, leaving my face a lovely shade of bright red...oh birthdays they are good at that!

I work with amazing people.  They inspire me each and everyday.  I am so lucky to work in such a supportive, fun, creative atmasphere.  I have honestly never had a job that I didn't love, but this one, this one is special.  My dad told me once, "you create your own luck."  I had never thought about it that way, but I think he is right.  I have had a lot of luck in my life, but maybe it wasn't really luck at all, maybe it was hard work paying off, or just a side effect of putting myself in or near situations, people, and enviroments that I want to be apart of.  Whatever it is, luck, hard work, right time, right place, I am happy with who I am and where I am.

Making Special Days full of Specialness!

I have to admit, lately we have sorta been slackers when it comes to holidays….and in the last few months it seems like there has been a holiday every week! Finley’s Birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, 4^th of July, Brian’s Birthday, my Birthday, etc.  When it was just Brian and I (three whole months ago) holidays seemed to come and go without much thought.  We got in a bad habit of living through special days without a lot of specialness.  Our only tradition lately is downplaying, not planning, and fumbling through Christmas, Halloween, birthdays, Easter, 4^th of July, Thanksgiving, Ground Hogs Day, etc. To be completely honest, holidays in the last few years have just seemed like a hassle.  Not only do they require thinking ahead, shopping, money, and effort, I think the hardest part is coming with something super unique and special, when you are already doing and getting what you want, when you want, most of the time. 

However, when Finley was born, I had a “holy eek!” moment when I realized that we were put in charge of her happy childhood and memories.  Now that is going to take a little planning….She has never experienced holidays and we need to bring the magic back and establish family traditions for her….and for us.  Good thing she is small enough to maybe not have noticed how bad we have botched all fifteen holidays in the last three months, but I am ready to commit to finding ways to make special days more special. 

It is Brian and I’s birthday week.  And keeping with our tradition of fumbling through, we haven’t planned a thing.  It’s a little last minute to pull off picture perfect birthdays this year (considering Brian’s birthday is today...), but I have decided now would be a good time to start planning for next year and for all the years after that.  Here are some ideas that I like for Ylisto birthday traditions:



http://www.etsy.com/shop/StarlitNestGifts?ref=seller_info

 

1. Birthday Flags! I love colorful streamer flags and I haven’t been too sure where and how to incorporate them into our world. I think they would be an awesome birthday décor staple.  They are so festive and I feel special just looking at them!
2. Birthday Dinner:  Cook favorite meal or eat at favorite restaurant.
3. Birthday Cake:  My favorite! I would like to find a cake that maybe we only make for birthdays, something super yummy that everyone, even Brian likes. He doesn’t like sweets, he prefers healthy, green things and healthy, green things do not make good cakes. I figure I have until Finley's first birthday to perfect the cake, (and I will need every minute of practice because my baking skills are horrific).  I think this might be the best experiment ever though! I'll post my attempts.
4. Gifts:  Wrapped in beautiful packages.
5. You are special plate: I love the idea of having a special plate just for special occasions. I love this one!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AedrielOriginals?ref=seller_info



 6. Birthday Crown: Why not! When else can you get away with this look?!  We will of course need one for the whole family, you too Brian! 

7. Birthday Book: Compile Letters to Fin into a book each year, read together on her birthday.

 What about you guys, do you have any unique birthday traditions?